Two police inspectors jailed nine years for secessionist activities

An Accra High Court has sentenced two police inspectors to a combined total of nine years in prison for being members of the Western Togoland Restoration Front (WTRF), a secessionist group and a prohibited organization in Ghana.

Billy Akuaku, who made financial contributions to another group known as the Homeland Study Group Foundation (HSGF), was sentenced to five years' imprisonment and fined GH¢6,000. In default of the fine, Akuaku would serve an additional five months in prison.

Gabriel Dorduno, who also made financial contributions to the HSGF, was sentenced to four years imprisonment by the same court, which imposed a fine of GH¢3,600 on him. In default, Dorduno would serve three months in prison.

The officers were said to have been members of the prohibited organizations between 2018 and 2020. This came after the court, presided over by Justice Mary Yanzuh, found them guilty at the end of the trial.

The accused were charged with being members of prohibited organizations, namely the WTRF and the Homeland Study Group Foundation, and making contributions for the benefit of a prohibited organization. Akuaku faced an additional charge of accepting financial contributions from members of the Homeland Study Group Foundation's Jasikan branch.

The court indicated that it handed down harsh or deterrent sentences to the accused because they were within the security service. According to the court, their duty was to desist from leaking information and to protect the Ghana Police Service and the country.

The prosecution's case was that officers of the National Security Council, based on intelligence gathered, embarked on an exercise to identify and arrest members of the WTRF. On September 25, 2022, the group blocked roads at Juapong and Sogakope and set fire to two STC vehicles.

During investigations into the activities of the prohibited organization, the investigative team discovered a WhatsApp group platform named "SEC ADMI," created by high-ranking members of the organization to discuss security-related issues. Further investigations revealed that some members of the group were security personnel, including the accused.

The accused, now convicts, were also found to be members of two WhatsApp platforms of the Homeland Study Group Foundation (HSGF), namely "Psalm 21" and "HSGF."

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Akuaku was arrested on March 7, 2021, and taken to his residence at Adzogekope, where a search of his room by the investigative team uncovered eight WTRF cards, one bearing his name. Additionally, a notebook containing the financial records of the Jasikan branch of the WTRF and a list of executive members titled "Upper Lake Province Executive Committee - Oti" was found.

On the same day, a search at Dorduno's residence yielded a WTRF membership card, an exercise book inscribed with "Funeral Contribution," and a mobile phone.

The prosecution informed the court that the Station Officer was asked to instruct Dorduno to report to the Director of the Intelligence Unit at the CID Headquarters. On April 8, 2021, Dorduno complied and was arrested.

During interrogation, Akuaku admitted to being a member of the HSGF. Dorduno admitted ownership of the notebook found in his room but denied owning the WTRF membership card.

A review of the notebook titled "HSGF JAS BRANCH" from Akuaku's room revealed that he made two monthly contributions of GH¢10 as dues for September and October for the HSGF. Additionally, Akuaku and Dorduno were found to have contributed GH¢150 and GH¢100, respectively, to the HSGF.